Archive for July, 2008

ART IN THE UNDERPASS

Published
by
Karyn
on July 14, 2008
in DIY and art
. 6 Comments

Bloor Street Underpass
Bloor Street Underpass, originally uploaded by the workroom.

Things like this make me smile on a daily basis. A huge and detailed mural was recently painted on the south side of the underpass just west of Lansdowne on Bloor Street West. It’s really quite pretty, mixing wallpaper imagery with trees, leaves and pine cones. I’m assuming that this is a sanctioned art piece, as it was put up gradually over a couple weeks, during the day. I walk along the underpass everyday and I think this is a brilliant way to improve a some-what unpleasant piece of the urban landscape.

I’m obsessed with the graffiti artist, Banksy. I wonder how much of this article is true. {via NOTCOT}

Also – Ellie told me about this a while ago, I really want to try it. I think this would be a good project for the workroom’s garden.

p.s. It’s my day off and it’s sunny, so I’m spending the day outside!

{AN ADDED NOTE – I did my research on the underpass artist, it’s Richard Mongiat. There is a great posting here about the project. Read through to the comments, I was really disappointed to hear people’s negative reactions to the lack of colour in the mural. I personally think that’s why it’s so refreshing.}

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13 DRESSES : DRESS 6

Published
by
Karyn
on July 13, 2008
in stitchery and textiles
. 0 Comments
 

Dress 6, originally uploaded by the workroom.

Dress 5 – Burda 7798
Fabric – Navy Graphic Rhythms by Gerald E. Roy

Burda patterns often require you to look past the questionable photos and styling to see the real shape of the garment. If you take a look at the pattern envelope of this one, you’ll see what I mean.

This pattern has cute dart details around the neckline, an empire waist and a nice full skirt that is cut on the bias. I really liked the long, gathered sleeves with ties. I decided to create my own half sleeve that kept that detail. The dress itself was very simple to construct. The one hitch I ran into was finishing the slits on the sleeve. I spent over an hour re-reading the instructions, looking at the drawings and trying to figure out how the heck to make it work. In the end, I made up my own solution, which does the trick.

The fabric I used is from a collection by Gerald E. Roy called Graphic Rhythms. Gerald interpreted the rhythms from music of different tempos into visual linear units and created repeating patterns. The navy fabric also matches my Hunter wellies, so this dress has become my rainy day dress. It all feels very British. Now, I need to get my hands on a navy brolly to go with.

I wanted to let you know that I finally watched ‘27 dresses’. You had to see that one coming, eventually. I was entertained, if only for the kinship to a girl with a closet full of dresses.

Dress 6

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FABRIC COVERED BUTTON BADGES

Published
by
Karyn
on July 11, 2008
in DIY, accoutrement, scraps, textiles and the workroom
. 7 Comments


Fabric covered buttons, originally uploaded by the workroom.

I bought my first button press about eight years ago. I had visions of making buttons from everything around me – postage stamps, newspaper classifieds, doodles and FABRIC. It was a disappointing moment when I realized that the button press always tore or stretched the fabric. It didn’t stop me from making thousands of buttons from everything else, but it was always a sore spot that fabric was not an option.

How excited was I to read this post on WhipUp today about this tutorial that shows an ingenuous way to make covering buttons with fabric work. It’s absolutely brilliant! This could pose a serious problem for scrap-hoarders, it makes a mere 1.5″ round piece of scrap worth holding onto.

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13 DRESSES : DRESS 5

Published
by
Karyn
on July 10, 2008
in stitchery, textiles and the workroom
. 9 Comments

Dress #5 : APC vs karyn, originally uploaded by the workroom.

Dress 5 – APC knock off
Fabric – Red & Blue yarn dyed plaid

I promise to try not to inundate you with too many shirring projects, but hopefully you’re starting to get the sense that it’s really easy and kind of fun. A while back I had bookmarked this cute APC dress from their current summer collection. Of course, I recently realized that I could now make this dress and then I found a very similar blue/red plaid fabric at DFO. It seems a knock-off was in order.

This dress was made much like my silver shirring top. I did a rolled hem edge for the hemming, five lines of shirring spaced 1″ apart and straps that were about 1.5″ wide. The straps and patch pockets were cut on the bias, exactly like the APC version. I think that this is a really sweet detail and totally makes the dress. The APC version has shirring on the pockets too. I attempted to do this but ran into some issues with the pocket bunching up too much and thus tugging on the skirt of the dress in an unattractive way. I’m going to try to remember to use the shirred pocket on another project in the future.

Obviously this brings up the whole issue of knocking stuff off. Is it ever okay to knock off someone else’s design? An independent designer? A corporation? Is it okay for personal use or learning? Clearly it is absolutely, positively wrong to copy someone’s design and then sell it. To me, there is a grey area when it comes to making a copy of something for yourself especially when A. you can’t afford the real thing (because it was designed by Stella McCartney and is $1900) or B. you want to learn a new technique or style.

Clearly, it is something that everyone wants to do. the workroom’s new Knock it off class sells out within hours of being announced. It seems like we all want to copy someone or something. So what do you think – is imitation really the sincerest form of flattery?

Dress #5

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TO TOP IT OFF

Published
by
Karyn
on July 9, 2008
in accoutrement, stitchery, textiles and the workroom
. 2 Comments
 

Summer Hat, originally uploaded by the workroom.

As much as I love teaching classes, I REALLY love taking classes. It’s a real treat for me to have such cool and gifted teachers at the workroom, each one having their own special talents. Sitting in on their classes, has been very inspiring.

We had the Summer Hat class the past weekend which was taught by Reva. I met Reva in the shop before the Christmas holidays. I complimented her on her handbag, which she told me she had made from the Lotta Jansdotter ‘Simple Sewing’ book. We got to talking about sewing, Japanese fabrics, craft blogs and printing fabrics. I learned that she was a trained costume designer and that we pretty much had exactly the same taste and inspirations. Naturally, I asked her to share some of her experience by teaching some classes at the workroom.

On Sunday, we had a full house of future hat-makers. We all decided to make the bucket hat, which is reversible. I used a sage green cotton canvas, lined with Amy Butler’s Optic Blossom in yellow & grey. I’m really pleased with mine. I often forget to wear a hat in the summer and I’m quite prone to getting sun stroke, so having a new stylish hat is just the incentive I need to cover up. The hat class is running again in August, so I’ll be making the military-style cap next.

Reva also teaches the very fun lino block printing class. I would love to print my own fabric one day, so lino block printing is a great way to dip my toes in that pool of water.

p.s. I used to have a real thing for hats when I was in high school. I had a large collection, many of them with big flowers and folded up brims a la ‘Blossom’. Perhaps I’ll try to dig up a funny photo for you.

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13 DRESSES : DRESS 4

Published
by
Karyn
on July 8, 2008
in stitchery and textiles
. 6 Comments


Dress 4, originally uploaded by the workroom.

Dress 4 – Burda Easy 7969
Fabric – Anna Griffin Floral Catalogue from the Blythe Collection

If you’re looking for a simple and quick dress pattern, this is a good one to try. There are no sleeves, no zippers and no darts in this dress. But even still, it fits very nicely. The encased tie around the waist cinches the fabric into pretty little gathers across the back side. The tunic has a very Grecian look, in my opinion.

I made three adjustments to the original pattern. When cutting out the fabric, it seemed like the skirt was going to be way too long, so I shortened the skirt pieces. Once I finished the dress, I realized I had shortened it a bit too much. I would have preferred to have a couple more inches in length. Next time I do this pattern, I’ll cut it out exactly as they have it printed.

After I put the dress together, the skirt was a bit too a-line for my liking. I felt that the silhouette would be better slightly straighter, so I ended up bringing the skirt in a few inches around the bottom.

The pattern also called for store-bought bias tape for the neck line and the arm holes. I made my own bias tape using the Anna Griffin fabric. Bias tape is the easiest (and dare i say, funnest?) thing to make. The key is using the right tools, the most important being a bias tape maker. I promise a little tutorial very soon on bias tape. I want you to love it as much as I do.

The Blythe line from Anna Griffin is filled with fun prints like maps, calligraphy, engraved drawings and botanical studies. I especially like this fabric because it feels like I’m wearing a vintage flower catalog.

What are your thoughts on the ‘proper’ thing to wear under a dress with no lining? Do you wear/own slips? Do you have another solution? Do you care? For me, it usually depends on the show-through factor of the fabric, especially on light-coloured ones. I’m thinking that I’d like to make a few simple cotton slips to go with my growing dress collection. Hmm… foundation garments may be the next personal sewing challenge.

Dress 4

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SUMMER SCARF

Published
by
Karyn
on July 6, 2008
in DIY, stitchery and textiles
. 2 Comments


Summer Scarf, originally uploaded by the workroom.

I wasn’t sure about the summer scarf for the longest time. Mostly, I think I was intimidated by just figuring out to tie them so that they look good. Some girls make it looks so easy.

The best thing about the scarf is that it is the easiest thing to make. I’ve been enjoying checking out all the colourful cotton plaid yarn-dyed fabrics at Designer Fabric Outlet lately. I look for a soft and light-weight fabric that has a fringe along the selvedge. I adore fabrics with pretty selvedge detailing. This orange plaid is made in France and super soft. I’ll often buy a yard, which is enough to make two scarves. One for me and one to give to a friend. It’s best to use a fabric that is at least 54″ wide, so that you get a nice long scarf. Square off the edge of your fabric, along the cross-wise grain (from selvedge to selvedge) and then cut the width of your scarf from your squared edge out. I’ve used both 12″ and 18″ widths, depending on the weight of the fabric and how much volume I want. To finish off the raw edges, I do a rolled hem on my serger with a contrasting or matching embroidery thread. Serge the two long sides and you’re done. It’s pretty much instant gratification with maximum results.

I’ve been using the serger rolled hem on everything. My other favourite quick project is to make cotton cloth napkins. I’ve stopped using paper napkins altogether, which feels good. Dinner-sized napkins are usually about 18″ square and luncheon-sized napkins are about 15″ square. Cut out your squares of fabric and serge all sides. Add some embroidered detailing or a lino-block print and these make an awesome gift.

TIP: I use fray check on the ends to keep the serged thread from unravelling.

Doing a rolled hem is different on all sergers, but there are some excellent tips here.

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13 DRESSES : DRESS 3

Published
by
Karyn
on July 5, 2008
in stitchery, textiles and the workroom
. 4 Comments
 

Dress 3, originally uploaded by the workroom.

Dress 3 – Wrap Dress
Fabric – City Limits Espresso Neighbourhood

This was actually the first dress I made this spring. I made this in the Simple Wrap Dress class taught by Sarah. The pattern was originally a frumpy Vogue pattern, but Sarah modified it to be the sweetest little frock. I’m not sure how many of these she has made, but she’s got it down to an exact science. The dress looks great on everyone who makes it.

This was the perfect opportunity to use one of my all time favourite fabrics. I wish more fabrics were like the City Limits collection. The illustration style is whimsical and the repeat is so large that it feels more like an art piece. I have a known weakness for cityscapes, so this fits right into my growing collection.

ALSO – Everybody is talking about Spoonflower, where you can design and custom print your own fabric. I only mention this because I think some of you, dear & talented readers, need to do this…

Dress 3

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BERRIES & HERBS

Published
by
Karyn
on July 4, 2008
in gardening
. 5 Comments


Berries & Herbs, originally uploaded by the workroom.

Over the long weekend, I got to go to out of the city to visit a few plant nurseries. I wanted to go to Richter’s in Goodwood to pick up some different varieties of perennial herbs. Since it is already mid-summer, they didn’t have their full selection, but they still have many things I haven’t seen here in the city. I was able to pick up some Pineapple mint (it actually smells like pineapples!), Mojito mint (this one is straight from Cuba and I can’t wait to try it in my personal version of the Mojito), Kent Beauty oregano (mostly because it looks so pretty), Thai basil and various Thymes. The other thing I got that day was a flat of Ontario strawberries. This was the best $12 I had spent. Having fresh berries morning, noon and night is my idea of heaven. Also, I made Strawberry Balsamic Sherbet, which is really yummy.

I’ve been getting the Richters Herbs catalog for a couple years now. I absolutely love pouring through seed & plant catalogs, circling all the many things I want to grow. The Richters catalog is especially fascinating because they carry pretty much every herb you could think of from Banana Mint to Nutmeg Thyme to Valerian and Stevia. They also list all the medicinal features and the plants that can be used for natural dyeing. I’m started to get very interested in natural dyeing, so I’m planning next year’s garden (at home and at the workroom) to have plants that can be harvested for just that purpose.

My other favourite seed catalog is Seed Savers Exchange. They save & share heirloom seeds in an effort to preserve our garden heritage. They sell over 70 types of tomato seeds alone! I’ve grown their Yellow Pear tomatoes and Black Krim tomatoes with delicious success.

Partly gardening-related: If you’re going to New York this summer, definitely make a stop over to P.S.1 in Long Island City on a Saturday. This year is the ten year anniversary of their weekly Warm Up event. Lots of great music, art and incredible people watching in their outdoor courtyard. This year the space is transformed into an urban farmland. I’m intrigued by the idea of gardening in cardboard tubes. (via Cool Hunting) The Warm Up event started the summer before I moved to New York, so their ten year anniversary is making me feel old and a bit nostalgic.

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BIRDIE SLING

Published
by
Karyn
on July 3, 2008
in DIY, accoutrement, stitchery, textiles and the workroom
. 5 Comments


Birdie Sling, originally uploaded by the workroom.

Amy Butler Birdie Sling Pattern
Exterior fabric – Amy Butler Tree Peony in Lime
Band & Handle fabric – Lecien Centenary Collection
Lining fabric – Amy Butler Happy Dots in Grey

I tend to tote too many things back and forth from home to the shop. Piles of fabric that need to be washed and dried for projects, books, my camera, Maisy supplies, various groceries, wallet, and all the other extra bits of things that I may or may not need on a daily basis. The new Amy Butler pattern for the Birdie Sling arrived at just the right time. I was starting to feel like a sloppy bag lady.

This was my first attempt at one of her handbag patterns. So far, I really like her patterns a lot. There was a glossary of terms included with the pattern that explained all of the technical terms quite clearly. The pattern calls for both fusible interfacing and fusible fleece. I didn’t have any fusible fleece and just did the interfacing only. I’m happy with how it turned out, but if you want a much ’stiffer’ band around the top, you might include the fleece. There are two pockets on the inside, which could easily be further customized with a zipper or additional compartments. My goal was to finish the bag as quickly as possible, so I passed on doing additional any work. The one thing I did do, was make the small pocket using the handle fabric for a bit of contrast inside the bag.

This bag is amazing! You wouldn’t believe how much stuff it can hold and the shoulder strap is very comfortable. The design is very smart and easy for a beginner sewer. I learned a lot of great tricks from making this pattern. I especially like the curved gussets at the bottom and the pleating along the top.

I absolutely recommend this bag for both looks and function. I’ll be slinging this birdie with me everywhere from now on.

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